228 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in progressing the new building for Scoil Eoghain Uí Thuairisc Meánscoil Cheatharlach where 400 pupils are in prefab classrooms. [10369/02]

The allocation for primary buildings in 2002 is €153.6 million, which is a record level of funding and demonstrates the Government's commitment to improving accommodation in primary schools. This is almost four times the previous Government's investment in 1997. In view of the greatly increased level of activity in the primary buildings area since the Government came into office, there has been a substantial increase in the number of major and minor building projects in construction and this has given rise to a record level of building and refurbishment activity. The school referred to by the Deputy will proceed to architectural planning as soon as possible under the Government's expanded building programme.